Police vehicles patrol an area in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, June 29, 2025, where firefighters were attacked when responding to a fire in the Canfield Mountain area. At least two people were killed in Idaho on Sunday afternoon after firefighters were ambushed in a sniper attack as they responded to a fire call in a rugged mountain area, authorities said. (Margaret Albaugh/The New York Times)

- Two firefighters were killed and a third was injured when they were ambushed while responding to a wildfire in the Idaho.
- Authorities found the body of the suspect with a firearm nearby, according to police, and they believe he acted alone.
- More than 300 law enforcement officers responded, including from the FBI, and exchanged fire with the gunman.
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Two firefighters were killed and a third was injured when they were ambushed while responding to a wildfire in the Idaho panhandle Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
The incident rattled the city of Coeur d’Alene and the outdoors communities around Canfield Mountain in northwest Idaho, where police said a wildfire was intentionally set to lure the fire crews into an ambush.
Authorities found the body of the suspect with a firearm nearby, according to police, and they believe he acted alone.
What happened in the Idaho shooting?
Around 1:21 p.m. Sunday, authorities received a call about a fire on Canfield Mountain, a popular wilderness area on the eastern outskirts of Coeur d’Alene, and dispatched firefighters there.
About 40 minutes later, the firefighters radioed frantically that someone was shooting at them.
Two firefighters were killed, and a third was injured but listed in stable condition, according to Sheriff Robert Norris of Kootenai County in Idaho.
More than 300 law enforcement officers responded, including from the FBI, and exchanged fire with the gunman. They located the body of a male suspect in the evening, aided by cellphone data, Norris said.
Who is the suspect?
Authorities said they believed the dead man they had found was the gunman. A law enforcement official said Monday that the man had been identified as Wess Roley, 20, of Coeur d’Alene.
The suspect’s grandfather, Dale Roley, said his grandson had moved to Idaho recently and had been working for a tree company. He said the suspect had expressed interest in becoming a forest firefighter.
Norris said it was unclear how the suspect had died. His body was moved quickly from where it was found because of the rapidly spreading fire.
Why do police suspect arson?
Naturally occurring wildfires are uncommon on Canfield Mountain, local outdoors officials said. Authorities believe the suspect set the fire intentionally to lure fire crews to the area.
Who are the victims?
Authorities have not yet named the killed and wounded firefighters. One of the slain firefighters worked for the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and the other was from the Kootenai County Fire Department, Norris said. The injured firefighter was also with the Kootenai County Fire Department.
Where is Coeur d’Alene?
Coeur d’Alene is in northwest Idaho, about 30 miles east of Spokane, Washington. It is known for its outdoors activities, and is near the large Coeur d’Alene Lake, national forestland and mountains, including Canfield Mountain. The mountain features both public and private land and trails for hiking, mountain biking and motorcycling.
The Idaho panhandle is known for its rugged outdoors, dense national forests and diverse wildlife.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
By Ali Watkins/Margaret Albaugh
c.2025 The New York Times Company
RELATED TOPICS:
How Netanyahu Keeps Playing Trump for a Fool in Gaza
2 hours ago
Trump Signs Order Implementing Additional 40% Tariff on Brazil, White House Says
2 hours ago
Could Madera Poach Stalled Costco? It’d Be ‘a Significant Financial Blow,’ Says Dyer
3 hours ago
Trump Pushes for Release of Epstein, Maxwell Grand Jury Testimony
4 hours ago
Clovis Police Arrest Eight at DUI Checkpoint
4 hours ago
Trump Says US to Hit India With 25% Tariff Starting Friday
4 hours ago
Republican US Senator Grassley Clashes With Trump Over Nominations
4 hours ago
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Navpreet Singh
5 hours ago
Tariff Revenues Hit Record $150 Billion Amid Trump’s Trade Talks, Fox Business Reports
6 hours ago
Trump Says US and Pakistan Have Concluded a Trade Deal
14 minutes ago
Categories

Trump Says US and Pakistan Have Concluded a Trade Deal

Trump Imposes Scaled-Back Copper Tariff, US Prices Plunge

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

How Netanyahu Keeps Playing Trump for a Fool in Gaza

Trump Signs Order Implementing Additional 40% Tariff on Brazil, White House Says

Could Madera Poach Stalled Costco? It’d Be ‘a Significant Financial Blow,’ Says Dyer
